Bill bans cell phones in work zones

Drivers using cell phones in Wisconsin road construction zones could face a 20 dollar fine, under legislation being proposed at the Capitol. A bill from state Senator Jerry Petrowski (R-Marathon) specifically prohibits a person from driving a motor vehicle while using a cell phone in a construction zone, unless it’s a hands-free device.

State Patrol Lieutenant Brad Altman says just a few seconds of distraction can be fatal, and nationally each year there are some 2,000 work zone crashes.

Petrowski – who will amend the bill to allow emergency calls to be made – says there have been 74 fatalities in Wisconsin work zones over the past six or seven years. The measure has a public hearing Wednesday before the Senate’s transportation committee.